Surpass Relishes Going

Tough galloper Surpass (pictured) had been waiting for a bit of rainfall – well plenty of it, and he got just that when heading to Sydney on Saturday, the six-year-old striking his favoured heavy going.

Lining up amongst the main fancies in the Randwick City Mayor’s Handicap over 2000m, the son of Savabeel did not look to be travelling like a winner during the race and was in fact under pressure early in the straight.

But, patiently handled by Brodie Loy, Surpass got into his rhythm over the final stages – saving ground along the rails as others headed out wider and putting his nose out right on the line.

Getting up in a photo finish, Surpass relished the conditions – recording his fourth victory on a slow or heavy track.

“I was a bit worried during the race,” Michael Moroney admitted, “as he did not seem to be going all that flash.”

“But Brodie said he really quickened in the heavy going late.”

“He was just a bit lazy in the running but he really got through that going and it was a good effort.”

“Hopefully it stays wet in Sydney and he can have a good campaign.”

A six times winner of not far short of $200,000, Surpass has won at a variety of tracks; Te Rapa, Rotorua, Sandown, Mornington and now Randwick.

Stakes placed in New Zealand, he is one of five winners for the Bakharoff mare Surprise, a half-sister to the Group One 1000 Guineas heroine Savoir.

Congratulations to owners the Ryan family and Ballymore Stables (Australia).

We are hoping our good run continues at Sandown on Wednesday where we saddle up two runners; Mister Impatience and Girls On Film.

The former, who takes his place in the third event, The Cove Hotel Handicap, is expected to improve on whatever he shows at his Australian debut.

To be ridden from barrier nine by Jordan Childs, Mister Impatience was last seen racing in the UK last September, finishing third in a 2920m event at Doncaster.

“He is an on-pace stayer and he has shown speed in his jump-outs here,” Moroney said, “but you would think that the 1400m will be too short for him.”

A son of the French Derby winner Hernando, Mister Impatience has been in Australia for a while, gelded and turned out after his arrival.

Our second Sandown runner Girls On Film lines up in the fifth race, the Schweppes Handicap over 1200m.

Drawing barrier four for Jordan Childs, the six-year-old is back in distance after not quite finishing off over 1400m at Flemington last time out.

“She is going well and she is drawn nicely,” Moroney said, “so she is an interesting runner.”